Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree – Two different desert areas, the Mojave and Colorado, meet in Joshua Tree National Park. The diversity of flora and fauna, as well as surreal geological features, add to the wonder of this park, created by strong winds and occasional heavy rains.
Although the Joshua Tree area has been inhabited for at least 5,000 years, the construction of new desert roads in the late 1920s led to an influx of cactus growers and hunters. Because of concerns about the removal of cacti and other plants, 825,000 acres of land were designated Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Joshua Tree
The monument status was promoted in 1994 as part of the Desert Protection Act, this bill also adds 234 hectares, after the initial cut. The new park boundary follows the natural patterns and includes all of the environment, such as all the mountains covering 500,000 acres.
Best Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park
Before we get into the dos and don’ts of Joshua Tree National Park with your dog, let’s talk about when to visit and planning your trip.
Temperatures are more stable during the fall and spring months, with highs typically ranging from 70–85°F (21–29°C) and lows around 50°F (10°C). During winter, the temperature is usually around 15°C (60°F), and night temperatures are near or below freezing. Sometimes it snows at higher altitudes. Summer is hot and we encourage you to protect yourself. Highs are usually around 38°C (100°F) and lows are around 24°C (75°F) at night. Spring and the holidays are the busiest times of the year and the park can be very crowded. Try to avoid or plan large groups on weekends from October to May and during the summer holidays (March to mid-April). Be prepared for long lines, limited parking, busy roads and crowded campgrounds.
I prefer to visit in the winter months for milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Even the summer months can be too hot for your dog’s paws on the park trail.
Whether you’re just visiting for the day or planning to camp inside the park, there are a few things you need to plan ahead.
Hiking In Joshua Tree National Park: A One Day Itinerary
We also visit Joshua Tree National Park when we visit Palm Springs, so we only did day trips and not camping. I don’t think you can do enough with your dog to extend the day beyond a full day or half day visit.
Joshua Tree National Park is within a few hours’ drive of several major cities. The park is approx
Do not rely on GPS directions to travel to or within Joshua Tree National Park. Driving directions sometimes try to guide you on dirt roads or soft sand that is impassable for your vehicle.
Joshua Tree can be accessed from Interstate 10 or California Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway). The nearest airport is in Palm Springs.
The Kid Friendliest Hikes In Joshua Tree
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can come and go at any time. There is an entrance fee, but sometimes the ticket office is closed. When exiting you may be asked to show your pass or pay an entry fee. No pre-registration is required to enter.
One of the great things about the Joshua Tree area is the unique accommodation options you can choose from during your stay. The weather is always top notch, the place is in the desert, unique or unique, out of this world.
For our weekend trip, we wanted an unforgettable experience that was inexpensive and had enough space for a small dog-walking group. Mesa Tavira was perfect for our stay and is walking distance to the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The house had three bedrooms and a bathroom with laundry. A full kitchen with two living areas and our favorite was the indoor pool with hot tub steps from the patio. It was also very nice to enjoy the sunset by the fire. You can see a full tour of the place on our Instagram.
Here’s a great list of different options in Joshua Tree, or visit AirBnB or VRBO to browse options using the pet-friendly filter.
Dog Friendly Joshua Tree: A Complete Guide + A Great One Day Park Itinerary
There are no restaurants, bars, grocery stores, or gas stations within Joshua Tree National Park. If you plan to eat in the park, you must bring your own food.
There are many restaurants and cafes located around the entrance to the park, providing great entry and exit options. We stopped and had lunch at Twentynine Palms at GRD SQRL before heading to the park in the afternoon. They serve American food and have great beer on tap. We both enjoyed our burgers and the beer cheese pretzel was delicious. There are also several options in Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Pioneertown. If you live in the area, don’t miss the best barbecue at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown. Their patio is dog friendly and there is often live music on the weekends.
Now the most boring, but important thing… all the rules. It’s no secret that national parks are not dog friendly, so here’s what you need to know when visiting with your dog.
Because the park has to protect the ecosystem and wildlife, as well as control the large number of visitors, there are areas where your dog is not allowed. However, if you follow a few simple rules, you and your dog can continue to experience the unique Joshua Tree landscape and what makes it unique.
One Perfect Day In Joshua Tree: 1 Day Itinerary
Leaving pets unattended or tethered to an object is prohibited under 36 CFR 2.15. Leaving a pet in a car can be fatal.
Now that we have all the instructions out of the way, let’s dive into all the things to do in dog-friendly Joshua Tree National Park.
While there are restrictions on visiting Joshua Tree National Park with your furry friend, these dog-friendly activities still allow you to see different areas of the park and really see the value of Joshua Tree.
These activities can easily be done on a half-day visit to the park, but if you plan to do a lot of road trips or don’t live in the area, then I would consider spending a full day in the park. First, enter through the entrance of Twentynine Palms Park to make your way to these events with no turning back, and end your day at Keys View at sunset.
Dog Friendly Things To Do In Yucca Valley & Joshua Tree
Mary’s Oasis is a short 0.5 mile loop trail located in Twentynine Palms at the headquarters of Joshua Tree National Park. This oasis is unique within the park due to its alkaline conditions, large forests with mesquite, and surrounding beaches and fans, which are dominated by desert salt marshes and mudflats that prefer heavy soils. This flat, paved loop is the most accessible place to see the California fan palm, as well as a number of rare plant species in the park, such as arrowweed and Mojave siblit. Along the way, interpretive signs introduce visitors to the historical and ecological significance of the site, and there are several places to sit and enjoy the view.
This route is open all year round and is the most dog friendly activity in this guide as the most scenic part of the walk is within the first two minutes and you won’t see the Joshua Tree here. But since this is the only officially designated dog run in Joshua Tree, we stopped.
This is a great place to stop for a glass of water and a shower on your way to or from the park.
This 1.6 mile hike takes you to Jumbo Rocks Campground. This is an easy walk that takes 35 minutes on average. This is a popular spot for camping, jogging and hiking, so you’ll likely meet other people while hiking.
The Only Dog Friendly Joshua Tree Guide That You’ll Ever Need!
Since it is an asphalt road in the park, you can bring your dog with you as long as it is on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed off the road to the rocks. Be careful with vehicles as this walk takes place entirely on the road leading to the camp. There is a parking lot at the entrance for non-campers, otherwise you will need to park on the side of the park’s main road.
Big Horn Pass Road. The trail is a winding 4.6-mile trail that is generally considered a moderate hike. This trail is great for hiking, biking, and off-roading, and it’s unlikely you’ll meet many other people while exploring. The best time to visit this trip is from October to May.
The back roads are designated for biking in the park and are some of the few places you can take your dog for a walk in the park. This route can also be driven through scenic areas. Off-road vehicles are not allowed on this route, but your vehicle must be approved as off-road vehicles are not allowed in the park.
This method has less shade and less reliable camera.
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